Recently there has been a surge in popularity for at home teeth whitening systems. Over time, human teeth naturally become darker due to the absorption of what are called chromogenic agents. Chromogenic agents are any additives, dyes or chemicals in a food or beverage that cause discoloration of teeth. Some common examples are tea, coffee, some sodas, tobacco, and red wine. Certain medications, such as tetracycline and minocycline.

The home based teeth whitening system mimics the kind used by dentists in that it relies on different peroxides to effectively bleach the color out of your teeth. The most common at home teeth bleaching involves using a plastic tray that fits comfortably around the teeth, allowing the peroxides to soak into the enamel for extended periods of time. Some people even opt to leave the tray in over night, while they sleep.

I have tried many teeth whitening systems, all with varying degrees of success. You can buy products at pharmacies, discount stores, online, through mail order, or have it professionally done at you dentist’s or at a cosmetic dentistry office. The difference is the cost and the amount of time that passes before you start to see significant results.

The success of systems like this varies, though at least some amount of whitening is assured. A person's commitment to using the tray repeatedly over a period of time is probably the most important factor, but also the cause of discoloration can play a factor. Some people just have naturally darker teeth, and this inherent color difference is hard to bleach out. The kinds of stains that come with age due to chromogenic agents like coffee, however, can be expected to disappear more effectively using a peroxide based teeth whitening system.

A different type of home based teeth whitening system involves applying adhesive plastic strips across your teeth, instead of using a tray. The concept is the same, in that the strips contain the same chemicals that bleach the discoloration out of your teeth, though many find the strip bleaching system to be more comfortable than the tray. The downside with the strips is that they often fail to bleach teeth evenly, leaving the edges more discolored than the middles.

With all teeth whitening systems, it takes time. Don’t ever believe an advertisement that says it will whiten overnight. These products are probably really bad for your teeth, and won’t whiten them either. It will just leave them feeling sensitive to all things hot and cold, and your gums will hurt too.

The benefit of the home based teeth whitening system is that it is much cheaper than the same treatment you would pay for at a dentist. There is some danger in using the home systems though, and any customer should be wary of what they are buying. The FDA does not recognize teeth bleaching systems as drugs, and therefore there is no federal regulation of them.

Since the home based form is done without the supervision of a professional, there is a certain risk of damage or harm. If you are interested in trying an at home teeth whitening system, just make sure you research the product before using it. One thing to look for is the American Dental Association seal of approval on the product you buy. This is a great indication that the bleach involved in that product is safe and effective.